Repeat venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in an infant presenting with complex airway foreign body: a case report

Background: Foreign body aspiration can cause significant morbidity and mortality in young children. In situations that threaten total airway obstruction, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) can provide a means of ensuring gas exchange during foreign body removal. This case describes the use of VV-ECMO for a second time in the same patient in order to protect the lungs from positive-pressure ventilation in the setting of an air leak.